Betteney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Betteney family

The surname Betteney was first found in Huntingdonshire, where J. le Bestere was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. A few years later, R. Bestare was listed at Colchester in 1311. The name is generally believed to be derived from the Middle English word beste, meaning a herdsman. 1

Another source notes that name could have originated in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands at St. Albans, held by a steward of St. Albans Church who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 2

Early History of the Betteney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Betteney research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1504, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Betteney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Betteney Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Betteney have been found, including Bestney, Bestnee, Bestknee, Bestnie, Besny, Besnie, Besnee, Bester and many more.

Early Notables of the Betteney family

More information is included under the topic Early Betteney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Betteney migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Betteney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Betteney, (Betterney, Belleney), (b. 1816), aged 18, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant